May 2016 Chapter Event
Topic: PROs & CONs Of Our Energy Sources
When: Thursday May 19, 2:30pm
Where: Main Building Rm 144, Cincinnati State College, 3520 Central Pkwy, Cincinnati 45223
Cost: None to attend; $5 to park in Central Parkway Garage
Many of the most important decisions about our energy future depend on decisions by laypeople and non-energy professionals. So we developed this Pros & Cons Of Our Energy Sources program with hopes of attracting not only energy professionals, but also non-professionals and students. The presenter is John Robbins, a frequent instructor of energy-related continuing education courses in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. The program host is Larry Feist, Cincinnati State's Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology and Applied Technology Specialist. Cincinnati State's "Center for Innovative Technologies" offers energy-related studies programs in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology (with a Renewable Energy Major), Environmental Engineering Technology and Power System Engineering Technology.
Here are the SLIDES.
Pros & Cons Of Our Energy Sources begins with an overview of current and forecast energy supplies and usage trends, including the ongoing rise in natural gas supplies and the steady increase in demand for electricity. Varying "capacity factors" are compared among conventional and alternate energy sources for generating electricity. Energy usage trends in residential and commercial are compared, including metrics used to compare energy usage per square foot and per occupant in buildings and homes. Emissions from conventional energies are also compared. CO2 emissions are compared for each energy source and per state, including CO2 averages per kWh, overall volumes and averages per person, all of which depends largely on "electric fuel mixes" and other differing energy usage characteristics of the states.
The presentation ends with focus on choices we all can make about how we use energy. Robbins uses data from EIA and his own company's energy surveys to show the very wide ranges of energy used by Americans. He also shows that contribution ratios and costs for converting to renewable energies like solar substantially favor those who use the least energy. In summarizing the evaluation criteria for all our major energy sources, efficiency and conservation are included. They appear to be the most positive energy choices with the best ratios of pros to cons.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS:
From I-75 north or south, take the Hopple St exit. Turn east onto Hopple St. Turn right at the connector street feeding onto Central Pkwy (the street encircles a White Castle restaurant). Turn right onto Central Pkwy. Continue north past Cincinnati State's main entrance, College Dr, then follow the parkway's right bend. Soon you will see parking lots and garages on your right. Turn right into the Central Pkwy Garage on Cincinnati State’s campus. (See map.) Expect parking to cost $5.
